Winnipeg man charged after stealing and crashing taxi

Winnipeg police say a 34-year-old man has been charged after he reportedly stole a taxi and crashed it Saturday morning.

Police say they were asked to conduct a wellness check at around 2 a.m. regarding a taxi driver who had been reportedly in a dispute.

When officers attended the scene, they learned that a man had entered a taxi along Notre Dame Avenue near Flint Street.

During the trip, the passenger verbally berated the taxi driver and armed himself with the taxi’s jack, which he managed to get from the trunk of the taxi.

Police were then informed that as the taxi stopped near St. James Street and Wellington Avenue, the driver called for another taxi driver and police.

At this point, investigators say the passenger exited the taxi, smashed the driver-side window with the jack, and removed the driver. It is then believed that the passenger attempted to assault the driver with the jack, but did not make contact.

Meanwhile, the taxi that was called for arrived.

Police say the driver attempted to flee to the second taxi but was chased by the passenger, who reportedly struck it with the jack and damaged the trunk.

Following this, the passenger returned to the first taxi and tried to drive off before losing control of the vehicle and hitting a snowbank along St. James Street near Saskatchewan Avenue.

The crash put the taxi out of commission, and the man attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody by police.

The 34-year-old suspect, who was not named by police, has been charged with robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, mischief over $5,000, and mischief under $5,000.